also about this time viz. the six and twentieth of this instant August wee received Letters from the Western parts of the kingdome that his Majesties and his Excellencies head-quarters were very neer to one another and that foure hundred of his Majesties Horse had cast themselves into three divisions and advancing neer my Lord Generalls Quarters and with disdainfull words reproaching them and challenging them to fight the brave young Gentleman Major Archibald Stranghan quickly apprehending the same and not able to indure desired that hee might receive so much honour from his Excellency as but to have Commission to charge them with an hundred Horse with which force though farre lesse in number than the Enemies hee doubted not hee said but by Gods assistance to return victorious This gallant motion of the young Gentleman being much applauded and well entertained hee received the first impression of the Enemy without moving from the place at all untill the Enemy being come neerer and almost brest to brest hee fired upon them at once with so much fury and so good successe that about twenty of them were observed to fall together on which the rest began to flye whereupon finding his opportunity and pursuing it hee was charged on by the second division and received them with such undaunted Spirits and magnanimity with his pistols that they also following the example of the former presently began to flie away confusedly not being able to endure the heat of this hot charge and fierce tempest After this also his pistols being discharged hee most unweariedly fell in pell-mell upon the Enemies last Division with the Sword and soon also enforced them to an ignominious flight unto the body of their Army which seeing the disorder of the Horse began to disband and flye themselves His Majesty was then not farre off in the Field and was a sad spectator of the Tragedy of his men And it was verily beleeved that had this valiant Scot been suddenly seconded to pursue home his Victory hee had taken his Majesty in the Field and totally routed his Army so great and generall was the distraction that at that present they were in For this brave service his Excellency rewarded the victorious Major with many thanks and appellations of honour and with a Horse esteemed to bee worth an hundred pound And about the seven and twentieth of this instant August it was for certain informed by Letters from Sir William Brereton to the Parliament that there being a great strength of the Enemy at Malpasse with intention to march into Wales after that bold and bloody Prince Robber Sir William Brereton sent out a party of Horse and Foot consisting of about eight hundred under the command of Leivtenant Colonell Jones The Enemy having notice of the said Party drew out all their Horse and Dragoones in Battalia consisting of about two thousand and placed their Musketteers in hedges and places of advantage Notwithstanding Leivtenant Colonel Jones with his Troop did most gallantly charge through two Divisions of the Enemy did great execution on them and returned without the losse of a man himselfe onely shot into the thigh the rest of the Troopes there being but four Troopes in all came up and some of the Foot after them and plaid their parts most bravely and with Leivtenant Colonell Jones gave another fieâ—ce charge upon the Enemy quite routed them some of them flying into Wales others into Chester ours took about an hundred and forty Horse and many prisoners the chief wherof were these Major Maxie or Murrey Major to Sir Charles Lucas Major Cromwell Major to the Duke of Yorkes Regiment Majoâ— Crathorn a Papist Captain Clavering or other to the late Colonell Clavering And the Commanders slain in this brave conflict were Colonell Baines Colonell Conyers Major Heskith another Major buryed at Chester and another Major buried at Malpasse One Leivtenant Colonell slain but not then known who hee was Captain Harris and Sir Marmaduke Langdale the Commander in chief desperately wounded and carryed to Chester for cure There were also slain upon the place and in the flight about an hundred and those that fled to Chester were with much affront kept out of the gates and not suffered of a long time to get in as some that came out of Chester shortly after enformed us About the eight and twentieth of this instant August wee were credibly informed by Letters out of the West and in specially by the most noble Lord Generall his Excellencies own Letter to the Parliament from Lestithiell that the perfidions Enemy who dare not compasse their base aymes and designes in an open fair and honourable way by battail though double in number had about this time so managed their base and trecherous plot that into two close Waggons wherein was a Magazine of at least 60 barrells of Gunpowder they had privily conveyed two notable Engines of Warre which should have blown up all the powder and at the time when the enemy thought to have effected the design they had drawn up their whole body of their Army toward that part of his Excellencies Army expecting the blow upon which they intended to fall most fiercely on the Lord Generals Forces but it most graciously pleased the Lord that one of the said Engines to the end whereof a lighted match was fastned was burnt to the very neck of the Engine whereat it was to give fire to the wild-fire in the Engine but then the coal went out of it self the other match also in the other Engine was burnt within an inch of the wilde-fire of that Engine just at the time when by a Cooper it was seasonably and happily discovered before the dangerous blow was given whereupon the Engines being taken out by the said Cooper and brought to my Lord Generall which his Excellency together with his Letter presently sent up to the Parliament and was publikely shewed to the Houses of Parliament and as some that were there present said it was just after that fashioned Engine which his Majesty delivered with his own hands being covered with red leather as that was to the party that made his Majesty beleeve that hee would blow up the Magazine at Ailesbury but as that so this most base and treacherous Designe of theirs was by Gods great mercy and good providence happily prevented and their wicked hopes thereby frustrated and all they got thereby was shame and infamy And thus now I hope good Reader thou hast fully and clearly seen in the whole progresse of this Moneths contemplation of Gods wonderfull protection and preservation of his Church and Children the great and amazing wonder of the World in these our Mosean dayes even The Burning-Bush the Church or Cause of God not consumed though inclosed with flames of wrath and rage of the wicked and outragious intestine enemies thereof on every side both by Sea and by Land blowing the coales and adding combustible fuell
fortified and the Church also and in it 140. Prisoners among whom was Major Stukeley a Major of horse Major Salt Capt. â—rice Captaine Edmonds Capt. Lap Capt. Baker 3. Leivtenants 3. Ensignes 8. Serjeants 55. Horse 2. Barrels of Powder and 100. mens Armes besides the Armes taken in Canterbury-Foot with Match and Bullet proportionable there were 10. of the Enemies slaine and 7. of ours whereof Major Heynes was one and about 20. more of our men wounded And thus the Lord was graciously pleased to shew favour unto us that we might justly raise up our hearts with thankfulnesse unto him About the 6. of this instant Januarie we had again Letters from our noble Generalls Armie in the West certifying that his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell made a generall Rendevouz and afterward advanced into the Enemies quarters resolving either to enforce them to fight or at least to remove more remotely toward Corn-wall into the quarters from whence they came And thereupon a party was drawn up farther West which fell upon them in their quarters at Tracie and beat them out of them and out of the field also and in the pursuit of them we took 4. Colonels 3. Leiutenant Colonels 5. Majors 11. Capt. and other Officers 7. Colours whereof one having the Crown and C. R. upon it 400. horse at least 300 Arms 140 Prisoners 150. head of Cattell and store of other provisions designed for the releife of Exeter which thus now blessed be the Lord came short of it After this our renowned Generall pursuing his victory came to Ilminster which he also took with all the ammunition in it where some Commanders of the Enemie had much a doe to save themselves but by throwing good store of money out of windowes into the streets among our Souldiers which whiles they gathered up the said Commanders and Officers in a darke night as it was then escaped by a back way saved their lives whiles our men were tardy to pursue them After this also our forces advanced to Ashburton but the enemy having received a hot alarm by those that escaped as before mentioned they speedily quitted that place also being then their head quarter in great Confusion and amazement sending their foot one way and their horse another but our forlorne hope pursued them so fast through the Towne of Ashburton that we took above 20 horse and 9 or 10 prisoners there and tooke the Towne with all the Armes and Ammunition in it Then the Generall advanced to Totnes where the Enemy had a Foot Quarter as having been the Princes Head Quarter where his Life Guard lay and where indeed we thought the Enemy would have disputed our passe but our Forces following on close upon them soon frighted them thence also tooke that strong Garrison with all the Armes and Ammunition in it yea and immediately after this also our Army marching and advancing on still reduced Okehampton a strong Garrison of the Enemiâ—s to the obedience of the Parliament where we also tooke as was credibly related to me two Colonels five Captaines 20 Horse and many prisoners And it was credibly informed and assured that since that overthrow given to the Enemy at Bovie-Tracy aforementioned we have taken from them at least 1000 of the Enemies Prisoners many of whom were Commanders and Gentlemen of no small repute in the Princes Army And hath not the Lord here admirably appeared for the comfort and hopefull flourishing condition of this his Burning-Bush his just and upright Cause yes certainly even to the amazement of our Enemies and to the stopping of the black and foule mouths of Malignant envy it selfe for ever glorified and omnified be our wonder-working God for it But to proceed About the tenth of this instant two Letters were read in the House of Commons from the Commissioners for the Parliament residing in Ireland the one dated the 19 of Novemb. 1645. from Belfast the other the 22 of Decemb. last from the same place relating the great and singular good successe which it pleased God to give to our handfull of Forces under the conduct and command of Sir William Cole Sir Charles Coot and Sir Francisâ—Hamilton against the Rebels in Ireland in the Province of Cannaught and Vlster and particularly and especially of that most memorable and remarkable deliverance and great victory over them at Sligo And upon reading of the said Letters the House ordered that the next Lords Day the Ministers in their severall Churches within London and Westminster should returne humble and hearty thankes to Almighty God for this great Victory And that the Reader may the better see what cause we have in an extraordinary manner to congratulate and give thanks with our Brethren for the same and for the Readers better content and satisfaction as also because this Victory hath no small influence upon and reference unto the great and present affaires of our own Kingdome as in the sequell you will clearly see I have therefore here thought it very fit and pertinent to our present history to insert the particulars of that brave and famous Victory which was as followeth On Sunday the 17 of October last the Irish Rebels having surrounded Sligo with 1000 Foot and 300 Horse the Garrison seeing little hope of the advance of the Vlster Forces who were then neer them at Bandron though unknowne to them conceived it absolutely necessary to hazard the fighting with the Rebels with their owne strength and Sir William Coles Troops rather than to starve themselves and lose their out Garrisons which were blocked up the Enemy lying between them Captaine Richard Coot and Captaine Richard Cole commanded our Horse being two hundred who charged the Rebels Horse very resolutely and fell in to the sword pell mell and beat them among the divisions of their owne Foot and routed them which Lieutenant Colonell Saunderson seconded with the Foot and Sir Francis Hamilton came also with his Troops in the nick of time and had the execution of the Rebels for five miles their Foot taking flight upon giving ground of their Horse In the pursuit their Commander and President of that Province was slaine the titular Archbishop of Tuain Our men tooke one hundred and fifty of their Horse with Pistols all their Baggage Tents and Ammunition there were two Wagons with rich Spoile and many in them they tooke severall of their Standards and Colours 24 Drums and Officers of note in number 48 who are now prisoners in Sligo about two hundred of their men lay killed in the place and many more had been if plunder had not been preferred before execution by our Foot we had but one killed of Sir William Coles Troop and some Horsemen hurt and some Horse There were of the Irish Rebels taken Prisoners at Sligo as followeth Great Morogh ve Divo O Flabeety Lieutenant Colonell to Richard Bourk Cousen German to the Earle of Clanrickard and his next Haire John
Parliament and their friends This indulgent and most noble favour thus shewed by his Excellency was not altogether fruitlesse unto us immediately after for some of those Officers proved very serviceable to our Army in some of their succeeding designes nor could lesse good effects be expected from many others where his Excellency occasionally made his Martiall progresse and advances whereby he hath most certainly and more and more most worthily been crowned with ancient Caesars more than Golden Diadems of perpetuall same and honour viz. Caesar noster Anglicus dando sublevando ignoscendo Gloriam adeptus est But now to proceed About the latter end of this Moneth of January we had further certaine intelligence by Letters from Dartmouth in the West that a Barke which came from France putting in at Dartmouth not knowing it was in the Parliaments hands and being come within command before they discovered it was there instantly seized on But speciall order and directions having been given to the Master of the Ship that in case he saw himself in danger to be taken by any of the Parliaments Forces he should throw his packets of Letters overboard into the Sea which now he had accordingly done but it being upon examination confessed Colonell Lambert presently commanded out boats to search for them and to see if they could espie any such Packets floating on the waters toward the shore which by Gods good providence at last they found so indeed and tooke them up and brought them to the noble Colonell even Letters of great concernment from the Queen Jermine and Goring which were all speedily posted up to the Parliament And thus besides the prize of the Ship and the fraught therein the Lord was most graciously pleased even by our Enemies themselves and especially by admirable interception of their Letters from time to time even all along to lay open and discover unto us the most hidden I had almost said the most hideous secrets of their hellish hearts against us and thereby giving us fair and seasonable opportunities by his blessed assistance to prevent and avoid their intended malice and mischiefe toward us blessed O ever blessed be the pure and precious grace and meere mercy of our good God unto us And here now againe good Reader I shall desire thee in thy wonted patience and piety together with me to make another short stay and take a summarie and briefe survey and gratefull revise of all the sweet and salubrious mercies of this moneth also so much conducing to the health and happinesse of this long languishing Church and State to the dressing pruning and prospering of this our Burning-Bush still as you see unconsumed the Parliaments just Cause thus still sustained in the midst of all the fiery machinations and flaming molestations burning and blazing round about it as hath been most comfortably and conspicuously seen to us all both in the great mercy of our God in so upholding the heart of the renowned Governour of Plymouth with such impregnable loyalty and fidelity to the Parliament and its most just Cause as not to betray that great trust committed to him by the Parliament in safe-guarding the said famous Town from the pawes and possession of the Enemie and also in the singular good successe which immediately after the Lord gave to those his loyall befieged servants against their besieging Enemies as a just reward of their late base batterie of treachery shot against it In that famous defeat given also to the Enemy at Bâ—vie-Tracy and our winning of Ilminster Ashburton Totnes and Okebampton together with the famous victory obtained against the Rebels of Ireland at Sligo and the excellent effects ensuing thereon In the most happy totall relief of Plymouth from a long and dangerous siege by base and blood-thirsty Enemies and recovery of Sir Francis Drakes House a strong Garrison also out of their hands In Gods great goodnesse unto us in still stirring up the hearts and raising up the spirits of the most renowned Citizens of London to stand close to his truth and to be very zealous for the building up of Gods House as was most eminently evident in their most excellent Petitions to the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the speeding thereof In the most happy surprizall of the Town and Castle of Dartmouth a mighty mercy unto us indeed it being a place of great consequence to the whole Kingdome and a faire and famous Haven and inlet from other forraigne parts And sixthly and lastly In that brave defeat given to the Enemy at Câ—rk neer Stafford the taking in of Pâ—â—ldram Castle by Sir Thomas Fairfâ—â—s forces in the West and his most Excellent and amiable demeanour among the people of those parts even like a second Julius Caesar Together with the most seasonable surprisall of that Ship from France in Dartmouth harbour by which that 〈◊〉 of Letters of so great Concernment was also by Gods gâ—â—d providence apprehended and found floating on the waves of the Sea All which most gratefully put together and seriously and sanctimoniously considered can amount to no lesse than a most large acknowledgement of our most deere and Deepe enâ—â—gement to the Lord our God in all the bonds of most bonden gratitude and therefore to breake out into holy and hearty zeale 〈◊〉 Cordiall thankfulnes and with the good Prophet to conâ—â—â—â— and say Who would not feare and love thee O King of Nations 〈◊〉 to thee alone indeed it doth appertaine for as much as among all 〈◊〉 and strong man of the Nations and all their kingdomes their 〈…〉 like unto the Lord our God Who hath most mercifully and 〈◊〉 been a wall of fire to us this unworthy Jerusalem round 〈◊〉 as and the onely glorie in the midst among us But now to proceed And here now I shall begin the farther prosperous per 〈…〉 in the comfortable contemplation of the continued wonder of the Burning-Bush unconsumed in this Moneth also of Februarie 1646. with the certaine intelligence by letters out of the North 〈◊〉 parts of the Kingdome about the beginning of the 〈◊〉 of February 1646. That the strong and almost impregnaâ—â— Garrison called 〈◊〉 Castle being one of the strongest and 〈◊〉 buildings in the Kingdome and therefore called Belvoir 〈◊〉 word signifying a Fair-Prospect which had 66 steps or 〈◊〉 unto it and therefore might well over-look the Country which for the most part being vallies round about it seemed 〈◊〉 yeild obeyâ—â—â—ce to this Castle which now I say is reduced 〈…〉 obedience of the Parliament Sir lartis Lucas the Governour thereof withall the Commanders Officers and Souldiers therin 〈◊〉 permission to march away to Litch-field upon more honourable termes indeed than they deserved And 〈◊〉 Thursday Februarie they came letters out of Cheshire from that 〈◊〉 faithfull and religious Commander Sir Williâ—◠〈◊〉 of the most happie surrender of the strong and long 〈◊〉 Castle of West-Chester into the noble
the other particulars of 〈◊〉 Petition into serious and speedy consideration And have commanded me to give you hearty thanks for the Reall Testimonies of duty and good affections which not onely by your words but by your Actions you have constantly manifested unto them Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And the very same day and time the said noble Citizens exhibited the like Remonstrance and Petition to the honourable House of Commons of which I say no more but leave it to the Lords most gracious and righteous wisdome and mercy for a happy returne in his own due time But that which is yet farther very memorable and remarkable in this businesse which I only toucht before and as you saw it most evidently true before was That the very day before the Remonstrance was exhibited in Parliament the Kings Majestie himselfe as it were to honour and encourage them in that their famous and faithfull resolution sent a particular Letter to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell 〈…〉 which they being all at that time assembled in their Guild-Hall was publikely read in the audience of them all And which is yet more memorably remarkable and worthy serious and sacred observation That a day or two at the farthest after they had exhibited their Remonstrance as aforesaid the truly religious and sincerely affected Ministers of two Counties Suffolk and Essex as it were to back the Cities brave Remonstrance exhibited a most excellent Petition to the Lords and Commons in Parliament attested by at least 300 Ministers hands subscribed to it which also for the piety and excellency of it I have thought fit for the Readers better delight and satisfaction here to insert which was as followeth To the Right Honourable the House of Lords now Assembled in PARLIAMENT The Humble Petition of the Ministers of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex concerning the Church-Government presented to the Right Honourable Houses of Parliament Sheweth THat your solemne League and Covenant great and glorious Victories the expectation of the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas the longing desires of our Brethren of Scotland the humble Petitions of the Reverend Assembly and the great City of this Kingdome the pressing miseries of the Orthodox and well-affected Ministers and People in the Country cry aloud to your Honours for a settling of Church-Government according to the Word From the want of this it is Right Honourable that the name of the most High God is blasphemed his precious truths corrupted his Word despised his Ministers discouraged his Ordinances vilified Hence it is that Schisme Heresie Ignorance Prophanenesse and Atheisme flow in upon us Seducers multiply grow daring and insolent pernicious Bookes poyson many souls â—â—ety and learning decay apace very many Congregations ly waste without Pastours the Sacrament of Baptisme by many neglected and by many re-iterated the Lords Supper generally dis-used or exceedingly prophaned confusion and ruine threatning us in all our Quarters In all humility therefore acknowledging your unwearied labours for the publique good your successefull endeavours for saving this Kingdome your hopefull beginnings of a blessed Reformation we out of conscience and in tender regard to the glory of God and the salvation of our people beseech your Honours That a forme of Church-Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches may with all possible speede be perfected and confirmed by your civill sanction that Schismaticks Hereticks seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Books be effectually suppressed That further care may be had of Ordination for a supply of able and Orthodox Ministers and all good meanes used to make up the sad breaches in this our Sion So shall the Church of God be setled your hands strengthened the sacred Covenant performed our feares prevented the Judgements of God diverted And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. The Lords Answer to the said Petition THe Lords are glad to finde this zeale and care in the Ministery of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex for the preventing the further increase of Heresie and Profanenesse and for the promoting a growth in the power of godlinesse The Lords desire you to continue still in your endeavours therein and they will not be wanting to give you all encouragement They have commanded me to give you thanks for your expressions of your good affections to the Parliament and this Cause and do assure you that they will improve their power for the suppressing of Errour Heresie seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Booke and likewise for the setling of Church Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches to which they hold themselves obliged by their solemne League and Covenant and that their Lordships have appointed that their Petition with this answer shall be printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum The Answer of the House of Commons to the Minister Petition Die Mercurii 27. Maii. 1646. THe House being informed that divers Ministers of the Counties of folke and Essex were at the doore they were called in and presented to the House a Petition intituled The humble Petition of the Ministers of Suffolke and Essex the which was read The Ministers were againe called in and Master Speaker by command of the House acquainted them That most of the particular desires of their Petition are now under consideration and they hope will be brought to a settlement speedily That the House is very sensible that through some intervening obstructions the Church-Government hath not beene so fully settled as they desire and that they give them thankes for their good affections and desire them to put all Ordinances in execution concerning Church-Government as lye within their power H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. This speciall act also of Divine providence so oportunely bringing in these Ministers Petition much to the very same effect as the Cities Remonstrance was and full of much piety and zeale for God and his Great Cause the present miserably distracted and distorted Church by abhominable Errours and Scismes I could not but most gratefully and gladly record in these our Parliamentarie-Annals as no small mercie of the Lord unto us and worthy to be taken notice of to the glory of God and honour of those two most worthily to be honoured Counties And about the third of June,1646 We were certainely informed of the taking of Salcomb-Regis which was surrendred to Colonell Welden and also that Bostol-house a most pestilent and pernicious Garrison of the Enemies was also yeeled up unto the power and possession of the Parliament And upon the 4. of June it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most worthy Parliamentarie worthies to set forth an Ordinance of Parliament for the settlement of that great scruple and Question among Gods people as touching the point of worthy or unworthy Communicants at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and for the more full and certaine establishment of the Presbyterian Church Government a mercie long
hee dâ—ed in this Cause but that hee dyed so soon to doe no more for it A most noble speech indeed and most worthy a virtuous and Christian Lady But now to proceed About the 26 of this instant September came certain intelligence by Letters to London out of Gloucestershire of a very rare exploit performed by that most renowned and ever to bee honoured successefull Commander Colonell Massie at Monmouth in South-Wales which was this Colonell Kerl who had the Command of the said Town and Castle for the King went out in the night with a party of Horse and was met with by Colonell Massie who having laid an ambuscado surprised the Colonell and took all his men prisoners After which to requite some ill service which hee had formerly done to the Parliament in deserting it or whither that were done by compulsion or otherwise I will not determine but the said Colonell Kerl upon an agreement and resolution betwixt brave Colonell Massie and him marched in the head of Colonell Massies men to the Town of Monmouth and demanded entrance whereupon the draw-bridge being let down Colonell Massie soon became Master thereof and quickly got possession both of the Town and Castle together with the losse not of above 6 men on both sides This Colonell Kerles Father was then at Gloucester and for the Parliament and having an estate in the County of Monmouth the King gave it to his Son on his revolt to his side but by this means the Father happily regained both his Son and his inheritance together This Town being a place of great concernment was on this obtaining of it made a Garrison for the Parliament it being not only the inlet into South-Wales from Bristol but was also a Magazine to furnish that City and those parts with Butter Cheese and all sorts of Victualls And about the latter end of this instant September wee had farther certain information by Letters from Gloucâ—ster that Prince Robber having had a design to secure a passage between Bristol and Wales for which purpose â—ee had sent 200 of his Forces to Betsley in the Forrest of Dean joyning upon the Severn neer unto that grand Papists Sir John Winters in the Parish of Tidenton where they were a fortifying and making a mote and had raised a Sconce to secure that Garrison But valiant Colonell Massie having timely intelligence thereof drew out a considerable Party of his own and some of the Earl of Denbighs Horse and bravely fell upon them slew divers of them took their Governour and 10 Commanders more about an 162 prisoners 200 Armes 2 peices of Ordnance and all their Artillery bagge and baggage and thereby utterly frustrated that design and thus the noble and renowned Colonell victoriously returned to Gloucester with all his prisoners and prize aforesaid And now good Reader let mee heer desire thee to make a little pause and ponder a while with holy admiration and Christian contemplation on this moneths great wonder also even to see this blessed Burning-Bush the Cause of God his innocent Church or Children in the midst of so many combersome and combustuous and furiously flaming Conflagrations and yet this Bush so farre from being consumed as that contrariwise it growes more and more strong vigorous and victorious sprouting and spreading forth with more and more extraordinary boughes and branches and as it were in a fair and most flourishing condition Witnesse all this foresaid moneths particular passages of Gods providence and protection over his forely smitten assaulted and menaced Members of his Church both in their deep danger in Cornwall by an undoubted plot of trechery contrived by false friends as well as open enemies together I say with all the rest of the most memorable providentiall passages of this moneth in all which it was most evidently seen that the blessing and good will of him that dwelt in the Bush was plentifully poured out on his Churches Cause and may therefore most justly cause and encourage us still more and more to magnifie the mercy of our good God and with immoveable constancy and confidence relying on his experienced love and faithfulnesse to confesse with holy David to the incomparable praise of our wonder-working God O Lord God of Hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee for who in the heavens can bee compared to the Lord and who among the sons of the mighty can bee like unto our God But now to goe on AND now I say to goe on in a farther and more serious search for contemplation and admiration of these continued wonders of our great and glorious wonder-working God which were most obviously and conspicuously presented to our eyes and eares in the whole progresse of this next ensuing Moneth of October 1644. And heer wee will begin with the then present state and condition of the Parliaments main and standing-Army under the speciall Command of his Excellency the Lord Generall Robert Earl of Essex which Army what a most dangerous combustion and deep gulf of destruction it had lately escaped in the West by the unfaithfulnesse as was strongly conceived and groundedly beleeved also as I have already expressed in the last fore-going moneths passages of some of the prime Officers and Commanders of that Army In serious consideration whereof our most renowned and vigilant Parliamentary Statists did the very beginning of this Moneth Vote a Committee to goe down to the Army viz. the Lord Wareston and Mr. Crew whose advice was to bee taken by the Commander and Commanders in Cheif for the prevention of future disloyall attempts and treacherous designes and for the more serious and solid acts and motions of the Army for the good of the Kingdome by Gods blessing thereon the like course being said to bee taken in Holland namely that there are some of the States of those Vnited-Provinces that accompany the Prince of Orange whose concurrent advice hee takes upon the enterprising of any designe and yet the said Prince takes not this as any diminution of his Command And how needfull this course hath been in our main Army the Kingdom hath been or might have been most feelingly sensible especially considering the ill-instruments which about this time and formerly were and have been in the Army in the West which although I have already in some measure touched before yet because more clear demonstrations thereof are since come to light and to my hands I shall desire with the Readers patience and to his farther and fuller satisfaction therin a little heer to insist on Witnesse therefore those instructions dispersed by Colonell Butler as was most credibly informed which the King sent to tempt our said Army then in Cornwall which were the most desperate and dangerous things that ever were yet penned and may in time come to publick view One of which was this You shall also inform that wee have assurance of a Party in
to the Castle whence they cast over a white flag and beat a Parlee but before notice could bee taken thereof all the service was neer done The principall houses of the Town were preserved from plundering by the Officers the Common Souldiers that night after they had long kept their arms without doing any wrong or violence entred some houses of the meaner sort not safeguarded and did a little pillage and take away the goods out of them but lesse than ever any people or Army did in the like case which was the testimony of the most Malignants and Papists themselves expressing in these very words that no History can parallell where lesse cruelty and insolency and more mercy were shewn in any Town gained by storm which ought to bee no small matter of gloriation when the Enemies are constrained to acknowledge that the wayes and practises of those who have often declared the purity of their intentions are now found out to bee nothing different from their profession and indeed it were to bee wished that the well-affected in the Kingdom had as great feeling of the advantage given to the cause and the good they received since the comming in of that Army to England as the enemies to the peace and happinesse of both Nations are sensible of the hurt done to them and their designes But to return The Town being that same night secured and the Guards carefully appointed at the breaches and by the water-side to watch the escape of those who were within and with so much losse and paines now caught in the snare Next day thereafter being the Lords Day his Excellency did likewise enter the Town and with the Generall Officers and others of the Army did goe to the Church straightway and gave thanks to God that hee was pleased even according to the words and wishes of their Enemies to prosper and blesse his People according to the justnesse of their Cause The Governour who was lately so pertinacious and high minded that hee would neither hearken himself to any thing which might tend to the preservation of the Town but likewise published Proclamations that none should presume to speak of any compliance to a surrender did now become a humble suiter to the Lord Generall whom hee thought not to bee in the world that morning that his Excellence would bee pleased to suffer him and those that were with him in the Castle to depart to the Kings next Garrison as may appear by the following Letter wherein you see him a humble supplicant though in some of his former a scornfull Prophet A Letter sent by Sir John Marlay sometimes Governour of Newcastle to his Excellence from the Castle the day after the Town was taken Octob. 20. My Lord ALthough you have the fortune of War against mee and that I might I confesse have had honourable tearmes from your Excellency Yet I hope your Noblenesse will not think worse of mee for doing my endevours to keep the Town and to discharge the trust reposed in mee having had strong reasons so to doe as is known to many And now whereas I am compelled to betake my self to this Castle I shall desire that I and those with mee may have our Liberty and your Licence to stay or goe out of the Town with your safe Passe to his Majesties next Garrison which is not beleaguered with our Horses Pistolls and Swords And to have 14 dayes time to dispatch our Journey so many as please to goe And truely my Lord I am yet confident to receive so much favour from you as that you will take such care of mee as that I shall receive no wrong from the ignoble spirits of the vulgar sort for I doubt no other I must confesse I cannot keep it long from you yet I am resolved rather than to bee a spectacle of misery and disgrace to any I will bequeath my soule to him that gave it and then referre my body to bee a spectacle to your severity But upon these tearmes abovesaid I will deliver it to you and so intreating your Answer I rest Your friend and servant John Marley From the Castle in Newcastle the 21 of Octob. 1644. For his Excellency the Earl of Leven Generall of the Scottish Army Compare this Letter with that which hee sent out the day before then look what a day may produce And now could there bee any thing more just than to deny favour to a man so eminent in all the wayes of Malignancy so wicked an instrument One who had so exceedingly provoked the Army and had sleighted all gracious offers of Peace Hee is now overtaken in his season and as God in his Justice had decreed and his Servants foretold those enemies to the peace of the Kingdom in these parts are overthrown and were forced to surrender the Castle and come out upon mercy Sir John Marley was committed to his house by a strong guard to defend him from the fury of the incensed people for hee is hated and abhorred of all and hee brought many Families to ruine The rest that were in the Castle have likewise in constrained humility submitted themselves and are rendred Prisoners though not many dayes before these peaceable Divines taught the people that it was more lawfull one of them to eate another than to hearken to the Scottish Traytors or comply with them in any sort The Town is now in as good condition as ever any Town reduced by the extremity of Warre and thereupon exposed to the rapine of Souldiers which oft times is unavoidable All care was had to preserve the houses and goods of the Inhabitants so farre as possibly could bee done and to that effect many Proclamations made That no Officer nor Souldier should presume to trouble nor plunder the house of any under the pain of death And that better obedience might bee given thereto and all occasions of tumults wrongs and oppressions might the better bee avoided It was Ordered that no Officer nor Souldier should stay in the Town without speciall Order but to return to the Leaguer and his former Quarters And likewise for the further weale and ease of the Town the Quarters of the whole Army are enlarged and none ordained to stay in Town but the proper Garrison This is the true Relation of the successe of the Scottish Army against Newcastle whereby it would appear that God delights to co-operate with his Armies The best use that can bee made thereof and of all other Victories is to make them steps of advancement for the Reformation begun and great encouragement to expede the Work in hand and beat down all difficulties A Letter from the Committee at the Scottish Army to the Committee of both Kingdomes Right Honourable VVEE know not any better use you or wee can make of the great successe wherewith it hath pleased God to blesse our attempts against this Town than to make it evident to the world that Truth and Peace are the utmost of our desires and designes
upon a party of the Enemies horse but then newly come from Oxford to doe some mischeif in those parts of whom divers were taken prisoners by the said valiant Captain Redman and the rest soundly beaten among those that were taken prisoners were Sir John Feunick Sir Thomas Strickland the Lord St. Paul a Frenchman and 15 more some were slain and many wounded the rest ran like brave Oxonians to save themselves but they left behinde them at least 30 horse and a rich Sumpter together with good quantity of Armes and Ammunition And at the same time wee were certainly informed that Knaresborough castle in Yorkeshire was surrendred to the thrice noble and renowned Lord Fairfax and in it good store of Armes powder and Ammunition with some Ordnance and other good booty viz. especially some hundred pounds in ready money and about 1500 pounds worth of Plate silver and guilt And about the 26 of this instant December wee were certainly informed by Letters from Radcastle that those 2 most loyall and renowned Commanders Sir Thomas Middleton and Colonell Mitton had taken a strong Garrison of the Enemies neer Mountgomery called Abby-cumhire This House had formerly been a Romish-Abby and was strongly built of stone upon their first comming before it they summoned it but upon the Enemies denyall to surrender Sir Thomas Middletons and Colonell Mittons old Souldiers assisted by Colonell Beal and Leivtenant Colonell Carters souldiers who were then lately come to them out of South-Wales and with brave resolution fell upon the Enemy and stormed and took the House in a short time where they took prisoners Colonell Barnard Governour of the Castle Hugh Floyd Esquire a Commissioner of Array in those parts and High-Sheriffe of that County and one of those that were excepted by the Proposition for Peace at Vxbridge to have no pardon 2 Captaines of Foot one Captain of Horse a Captain Leivtenant 3 Leivtenants a Foot Colours one Cornet of Horse 4 Sergeants 8 Corporalls 2 Trumpetters 4 Drums 60 common Souldiers 3 barrels of powder 60 firelocks 40 Horse 40 horse armes besides 200 Muskets and some other armes and ammunition By the taking of which said strong Garrison the Counties thereabouts are freed from much danger of their cruell Enemies who had before used many of the inhabitants with much severity About the 28 of this instant wee received credible information by Letters out of Staffordshire that Captain Stone the valiant Governour of Eccleshall castle having intelligence that some parties of the Enemies were abroad out of Tongue castle hee thereupon marched out of Eccleshall with a party of horse found them and fell upon them and in the fight slew divers of them took prisoners the Governour of Tongue castle divers Officers 200 common Souldiers and 50 horse with some other good booty And by Letters out of the West wee were farther informed about the same time that Major Dewet performed a brave exploit upon the Enemy at West Dean which was thus related Sir our brave-spirited Major but shortly after this a base apostate from us marched with his men from about Malmsbury toward our Garrison by West-Dean and by the way hee fell upon a quarter of the Enemies at Rushall neer Vphaven where there were quartered about 36 of Captain Paddons Troop who entituled themselves The Wiltshire Troope where after some hot and testy dispute he took prisoners Leivtenant Borrow Leivtenant of Horse commanding the Troop George Warner a Reformado Captain a Leivtenant of Foot 2 more Reformado Officers 6 Troopers 20 good horse and armes and other good prize for his Souldiers without the losse of any one man or horse on his side And about the same time wee had farther certain intelligence of another brave exploit performed against the Newarkers by valiant Colonell Thorney and the Nottingham Forces who took a considerable Garrison from the Enemies neer Newark viz. Sir Roger Coopers House and in it Sir Roger himself and his brother and 50 prisoners with their armes and ammunition And about the 30 of this instant December an Agent of the most illustrious Queen of Sweden was admitted with honourable reception into the Parliament the representative Body of the Kingdome of England with his Letters to the Parliament from the said most Royall Princesse which were then opened and after the translating of them out of the Latine-tongue in which they were writen they were read in Parliament The effect and substance of which was That the said thrice noble Queen of Swethland with her Nobles and whole State desired to associate themselves and to keep faire and loving correspondence with the Parliament and State of England and to enter into the Solemn League and Covenant with them for the mutuall defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion A rare mercy indeed thus to see another Protestant Kingdome desire to joyn with us in this blessed work of setting the Lord Christ upon his Throne as our most loyall and loving brethren of Scotland have done to the high honour and glory of God and good of his Church And with this so sweet a mercy I shall heer most fitly close up this moneths most famous blessings on this Burning-Bush the Parliaments honest and upright Cause And heer now therefore good Reader let mee intreat thee to make a little stay and therein to stand amazed at this even senseastonishing Parliamentary-wonder to see and consider in this one Moneths contemplation thereof this Burning-Bush thus still Vnconsumed I mean the Parliaments just Cause and quarrell in the middest of so many devouring flames of bloody bickerings and perfidious plots and trecheries as have been fore-mentioned to stand upright still undestroyed yea contrariwise more and more flourishingly and fairly corroborated and fixed at the root the blessing of him that dwells in the Bush thus admirably still preserving and protecting it from constantly contrived and intended ruine and destruction Upon the serious sight and pious pondering whereof O what great cause have wee with holy David to break forth into a holy and hearty extasie of joy and admiration as wanting words to expresse sufficiently the many and mighty mercies of our God and to sing and say How excellent O Lord is thy loving kindenesse how powerfull is thy protection therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings They are abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thy house and thou dost make them drink of the rivers of thy pleasure And thou O Lord art hee alone that dost encompasse us still with songs of deliverance But now to proceed and set forward to the farther sight and contemplation of the succeeding wonders in and upon this our thus Burning Bush in this ensuing Moneth of January 1644. ANd first I shall begin heer to remember my Reader that as God had lately before begun to cut off in a Judiciary way one most pestilent plotter and dangerous Malignant Incendâ—ary who had not Gods
God for him and his Posterity they certified how unfaithfull they should bee to God and his Majesty if they should conceal the present danger wherein hee is a danger infinitely greater than the displeasure of his people They therefore in the humility and greif of their Soules did prostrate themselves before his Throne and in the name of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 bold to warne him that the guilt which cleaveth so fast to his Throne and his Soule is such as if not timely repented will involve him and his Posterity under the wrath of the ever-living God Next they freely proceeded to acquaint his Majesty what were the occasions of his great and growing danger in which if they should bee silent their conscience would condemn them and the stones themselves would finde expressions As first for his being guilty of the shedding of the blood of many thousands of his best Subjects Secondly for permitting the Masse and other Idolatry both in his Family and Dominions Thirdly for his authorizing the book of Sports and by consequence the profanation of the Lords Day Fourthly for his not punishing of publike scandalls in and about his â—ourt Fifthly for the shutting of his ears from the humble and just desires of his faithfull Subjects Sixtly for his complying too much with the Popish party many wayes and namely by concluding the Cessation of Armes in Ireland and imbracing the Counsells of those who have not set God nor his good before their eyes Seventhly for resisting and by Armes opposing this Cause which so much concernes the glory of God his own honour and happinesse and the peace and safety of his Kingdomes Eightly for some other private causes of which his Majesty is conscious to himself It being not the desire of these grave and reverend men to have mentioned any particulars if that they had not already been publike and known For all these and for every one of them they implore his Majesty to fall down at the footstoole of the King of Glory to acknowledge his offences to make haste to repentance and to labor for peace with God through Jesus Christ that the Son of God may reign over him and his Kingdomes in his pure Ordinances and the Government of the Church Moreover they desire his Majesty to take notice that they are not staggering or faint hearted through diffidence of the successe of their Cause and the Covenant of the three Kingdomes unto which as God hath already given many testimonies of his favour and blessing so it shall bee their unshaken confidence that this is the work and Cause of God which shall gloriously prevaile against all opposition and from which with the assistance of the Grace of God they shall never suffer themselves to bee divided or withdrawn but shall zealously and constantly in their severall Vocations endevour with their Estates and Lives to pursue and advance the same This Remonstrance being so full of piety to God and allegiance to the King is able some would think to beget a better opinion in the stubbornest Malignants concerning the proceedings of our Brethren the Scots and either to perswade or convince them to a better understanding of them The Lord Digby hath returned answer that his Majesty will take it into consideration who knows but that God may so move his Royall heart that the Letters of this paper may bee more effectuall than an Army of men in the field and bee a happy means to reduce the King to his Parliament But notwithstanding all this hee still goes on in a most hardned condition like a most miserable Prince For as wee well knew in the mean while hee was making what possible speed hee could to recover new strength His Warrants are issued forth for supplies of men whiles the miserable and desolate Countrey that a long time hath suffered under the calamity of warre can lend him but little assistance either for men or money Wee heard that a great part of his Horsemen were wounded in Naseby fight and that hee lately made a halt and stayed the longer in Wales to understand the inclinations of the people Indeed his Army might well halt when that so many of his men were wounded and our swords have not so deeply wounded his men as hee hath wounded his own honour by calling over the Irish to assist him They say that there are a Legion or Brigade of Irish consisting of about 4000. who are newly landed to assist him I suspect the truth thereof and have reason to bee doubtfull of it because I finde that our greatest Intelligencers cannot agree amongst themselves and doe much vary in what place they are landed It is very likely that many are come over but not so many as are commonly reported And are the barbarous and prodigious Acts of the Irish in their own Kingdom such pleasing cruelties that they must bee sent for into England to act them over again heer Must the West which suffered the last yeer under the horrid lust and fury of the French bee now the Stage where the Irish shall act their Tragedies Rouze up thy self thou desolate and much afflicted West thou hast now the meanes to shake off the yoak of thy Subjection if thou art so happy as to apprehend the meanes of thy deliverance But to goe on About the 6 of this instant July whiles the poore King was thus fruitlesly strugling Per fas nefas to recruite his foresaid broken Army our most noble and renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax was now in the West endevouring with all fidelity and magnanimity of spirit to purchase by Gods assistance Liberty to those long distressed parts of the Kingdom and just honour to himself and as credible information affirmed had sent a choyce body of horse to Gloucester to observe the motion of the Kings Army and to attend the landing of his forces on this side the River Severn which hee could not doe without apparent danger In which interim wee had certain intelligence that the Kings Garrison of Dudley Castle was shrewdly put to it For as they were abroad plundering the Country therabout Captain Hunt sell upon a party of them and having slain some hee took many horse from them and divers prisoners whom hee carried with him to Warwick Since which also as wee were credibly informed our Brethren of Scotland lighted on another party of them and after a brave conflict with them wherein divers of the Enemies were slain on the place they made them lesse in number by at least 80 horse than they were before And shortly after this wee were for certain certified that the Governour of Stafford came up with a party of horse and gave an alarm to the Castle it self Whereupon the Enemy not enduring the affront drew forth into the field thinking indeed our party not to bee so strong as afterward they found it and to increase this their apprehension and conceit therein Colonell Ashburst politickly retreated on purpose
gracious prevention of our Prayers the Lord heerin most exactly verifying his own faithfull promise by the Prophet I am found of them that sought mee not And according to that also in the same Chapter Before they call I will answer and whiles they are yet speaking I will hear And is not heer a gracious God indeed and is not our God a bountifull-handed and free-hearted Master indeed who payes us our wages before our work is done and that farre more than wee asked or ever did or could deserve yes most certainly And for the farther and clearer confirmation ratification and admirable yea almost incredible illustration of this truth give mee leave good Reader to put thee in minde how that much about the beginning of June last it pleased the Lord to hint in the heart of a godly Minister by name Mr. White Preaching occasionally at reverend and religious Mr. Cases Church in Milkestreet in London the impregnable and even invincible power of Prayer and of what precious consequence and concernment it might bee for the advancement of Gods glorious Cause if Gods people would bee pleased every morning constantly to set apart half an houre or an houre at most to seek the Lord by servent Prayer for a speciall blessing upon the present great affaires and negotiations of the Kingdom both by Counsell and Warre for the good of Church and State which hint or holy alarm as I may call it reverend and religious pious and painfull Mr. Case cheerfully laying hold on presently began this godly work and for the space of one whole Moneth upheld it in his own Church most sacredly and sweetly Whom reverend and religious Mr. Calamy as I take it immediately succeeded all the next ensuing Moneth and so this most blessed work hath continued and constantly been carryed on to the high honour and glory of our Prayer-hearing God the wonderfull good of the Kingdome and the unexpressible joy and comfort of Gods people especially who have been partakers and actours in it For as it hath been most justly observed O what sweet and singular successes have been given to all our Armies ever since this pious and precious work began not a Moneth nay a week nay scarsely 2 dayes have past without a blessing on our Armies if not a Victory in one part of the Kingdome or other Take good Reader but a succinct Summary of what God hath done heerin only since June and July now last past the rest I shall give thee afterward in their more proper places As namely First That most famous and glorious victory at Naseby The singular good successe of our forces in Shropshire The last releif of Taunton The admirable re-taking of Leicester Highwarth and Ilchester The late forementioned famous Victory obtained by Gods mighty assistance through fire and water at Lang-port and Burroughs which famous victory wee obtained that day moneth whereon wee obtained Naseby Victory rare mercies indeed two famous Field-victories obtained in the space of one Moneth The surrender of Carlile The reconcilement and comming in of the Western Clubmen to the Parliaments party The winning of strong Bridgewater and strange and speedy obtaining of Bath The gaining of the strong Castles of Pontefract Scarborough Cannon-Frâ—â— Chadwick-house and Rabby Castle In these Field-victories and 10 or 11 strong Garrisons and Castles above 10000 prisoners taken above 50 or 60 peices of Ordnance Much above 10000 Armes and great plenty of Ammunition bagge and baggage and all this done within the space of lesse than two Moneths Tell me now then good Reader and speak thy conscience freely doe not all these rare and almost incredible mercies clearely confirme the truth of what I have affirmed that ever since the Throne of grace hath been so constantly and daily prest with Prayer our faithfull Prayer-hearing God hath admirably crowned his own works in us and for us And say I pray thee may I not most justly stile these two Moneths of June and July Menses Mirabiles two most deservedly admired Moneths And hast thou not now again good Reader seen and that in a most abundant measure this our great Miracle and amazing-wonder even The Burning-Bush not only not Consumed but gloriously made to spread and flourish in the midst of all the most fierce and furious flames of Antichristian Atheisticall and Maligaant wrath and outrageous fury Yes certainly I know thou wilt easily and truely acknowledge it and that if ever heer was that faithfull word of the Lord confirmed and made good to his maligned Church and children Now weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord and their righteousnesse and salvation is only of the Lord. Not unto us therefore Lord not unto us but unto thy name alone wee give all the honour and glory of all these great and gracious deliverances and many and mighty mercies Thou only hast thus encompast us with Songs of deliverance Thy mighty hand and thy strong and out-stretched arme alone hath gotten to thy self and given to us these great and glorious Victories to thee alone therefore â—ee all the honour and glory throughout all generations And now to go on in the continuation and happy contemplation of this next Moneths most memorable Wonder of our Burning-Bush the Parliaments Cause still un-consumed still eminently prospered And here I shall begin this Moneths observation herein with that brave defeat given to the Enemy by that valiant active and faithfull Commander Captain Allen neare Stamford in Lincolneshire which was as followeth About the beginning of this Moneth of August 1645. we received Letters of certain intelligence from Burleigh House in those parts that a party of Newarkers being joyned with Belvoyre Forces to the number of about 300 in all were gathering Taxes or Contribution Money about Stamford and the parts thereabout whereof valiant Captain Allen having notice he with Captain Collins drew forth all the Horse belonging to the Garrison being in number not above 130. or 140. at most whereof some were Dragoones which came after who found the Enemy neer Carlebie retreating homeward with their Prisoners and Plunder among whom they had taken an Alderman of Stamford Sir Robert Dallison being their Commander in Chiefe and they above two for one of ours where a hot encounter was begun between them for our men notwithstanding set upon them with admirable resolution and were as it must be confessed at first gallantly received but I say after a sharp and short dispute it pleased God to do much for ours and to make couragious Captain Allen a speciall instrument of a brave victory his brave Souldiers taking more than ordinary courage at his valiant and undaunted behaviour among them insomuch that they utterly routed the Enemy leaving dead and desperately wounded twelve or fourteen on the place and took Prisoners
Signet and Royall Segnature in the twenty yeere of our reigne c. It was therefore ordered by the said Earle in the Kings behalf 1 That all the professors of the Roman Religion in Ireland of whatsoever degree or quality shall enjoy the free and publique use of the Roman Catholike Religion 2 That the professors of the said Roman Religion shall enjoy all the Churches within the Kingdome of Ireland other than such as are now actually enjoyed by his Majesties Protestant Subiects 3 That all the Roman Catholick Subiects of Ireland should be exempted from the iurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy 4 〈◊〉 whereas there was an Act made 〈◊〉 Parliament holden in Dublin in the second yeare of Queen Elizabeth entituled An act restoring to the Crowne the ancient Right and Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiasticall and for the abolishing of all forraigne and Popish power repugnant to the same And whereas there was another Act for the Vniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church and Administration of the Sacraments and sundry mâ—cts laid upon the professions of the Roman Religion it is accorded and granted that a Parliament shall be called in Ireland and that an Act shall passe for the reliefe of his Maiesties subiects and that neither of the said Statutes nor only branch Article clause or sentence in them neither in any other Statute made either by his Majiesty or any of his Predecessors touching the free and publique use of the Catholique Religion shall extend or be of my force to prejudice the professors of the Roman Church for any matter or cause whatsoever And these things and some other of the like nature being granted by the King according to his promise made in the word of a Christian and a King the Confederate Catholicks did oblige themselves to bring in the number of 10000 men who are to be armed there one half with Muskeâ—s the other with Pikes to be shipped to serve his Majesty in England Wales Scotland at his Majesty shall appoint Thus have I set forth the Kings Letter to the Parliament on the one side and his Letter or Declaration to the most bloody and barbarous Rebels of Ireland on the other side And now how the King is able to reconcile these two vast contrarities and to give the Kingdome and Parliament full satisfaction as in that Letter to them he saies he will concerning the affaires in Ireland let the world judge and God and his owne soul be witnesse Therefore the Parliament as by Gods mercy to us they have done all things hitherto for the most part with much moderation and 〈◊〉 did very 〈◊〉 I think present to his Majesty in theâ—â— Letter or Declaration sent unto him on their knowledge of these things that the war in Ireland being fomented and prolonged by his Majesty to the utter ruine almost of the Kingdome of England and Scotland that untill satisfaction and security be 〈◊〉 given to 〈◊〉 Kingdomes for the same his Majesties coming to London could not be convenient nor assented unto Thus I say the Parliaments providence next under the infinite wisdom and mercy of our good God hath still wonderfully discovered and disappointed all the pestilent plots and dangerous designes of our adversaries and maugre all their malicious machinations and craftiest combinations made all our Parliamentary great grave and godly affaires go on with wonderfull safety and security ever magnified and praised be the Lords most glorious mercies for it But now to proceed About the 14 of this instant January we received certain intelligence by Letters out of the West that the Enemy in those parts continued in a most distracted condition flying still before us and our men loosing no advantage and opportunity to pursue them And that they no sooner had heard of our Forces approach toward Plymouth but as they were in their Garrisons and Holds before Plymouth about Plympton they immediately forsook them to provide for themselves by a shamefull flight and were no sooner fled but our men became masters of their Works There were found in Plympton upon this the Enemies hasty flight seven peeces of Ordnance which in that confused haste they were not able to draw off there were also taken divers barrels of powder and great store of Armes and Ammunition and it much joyed the Garrison of Plymouth to see a full deliverance come so soone and so unexpectedly and that in the depth of snow and dead of Winter whereas according to ordinary reason there could in such a time no reliefe be expected But the Garrison of Plymouth to be sure made good use of the flying condition of their Enemies for immediately they sallyed forth after them and tooke about 60 of them one whereof was said to be a Commander of note and one of the most active against the Parliament in those parts And as the Garrison of Plymouth was active so our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his most loyall and active Forces would loose no time or opportunity but tooke all occasions of the Enemies feares and flights and following them close made them quit Sir Francis Drakes House which they had made a strong Garrison and our men took possession of it And then Sir Thomas commanded a considerable party to march to Dartmouth who with much willingnesse undertooke the march and the Town being summoned the Enemy not onely refused to submit but sent out a party to fire some out houses supposing that they might be beneficiall to us during the siege but our Forces routed the party took 40 Horse and divers prisoners and slew the Lieutenant Colonell that commanded the said party And in the meane time Sir Thomas Fairfax sent to Captaine Batten Vice Admirall of the Parliaments Ships in the Westerne stode to come up to Dartmouth 〈◊〉 because he would storme it both by Sea and by Land whereof more in its more proper place January the 16 a Petition was 〈◊〉 to the House of Peers in the name of the Lord Mayor Alde â—men and Common-Councell of the City of London for the speedy setling of Church Government in the City and over the whole Kingdome as the day before they had presented one of the same to the House of Commons and upon the presenting of the Petition Alderman Gibbs made a Speech to their Lordships and after some consideration of the Petition the Lords returned them a most acceptable answer which Petition together with the Answer thereunto from the Lords for the Readers better content and satisfaction and the honour of that most famous and renowned City in such a pious Act and Petition I have thought fit here to insert them which were as followeth To the Right Honourable the LORDS now Assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell Assembled Sheweth THat in Novemb. last the Petitioners made it their humble request to this honourable
and most earnestly desired by all except our most pernicious and disorderly Seâ—â—aries and Libertines And the Ordinance to continue thus for the space of three yeares And whereas I gave a hint or touch before of our Cause of jealousie that the Kings putting himselfe into the hands of our loving and loyall brethren of Scotland and his writting of faire and smoth Letters was not so Cordiall as we did and could have desired how ever we trust and pray the Lord who hath the hearts of Kings in his hands and can turne them as the Rivers of water May and will in his good time heare the prayers of his people therein also I shall here give the Reader a notable Demonstration that our said jelousie was not groundlesse as may too evidently appeare by this ensuing Letter of his Majesties if it were his Majesties owne act whereof there is some uncertaiâ—â—ty it being assured that his Majestie disclaimed it and so t is hoped it was not his but that most wicked Agents Secretarie Nicholases sent to the Marq Marquis of Ormond in Ireland a little before he departed from Oxford which shewed his still hollow and unholy heart to plot and foment new inlargements of our bloody broyles and Civill warres which Letter being sent by Ormond to that loyall and brave Commander in Armes Major Generall Monroe in Ireland and by him to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland by Sir Robert King I have here thought fit to insert it verbatim as it was printed and published by order of Parliament which was as followeth CHARLES REX RIght trust and entirely beloved Cousins and Concellors We greet you well having used all possible and honorable meanes by sending many gracious Messages to the two Houses of Parliament wherein wee have offered them all they have heretofore desired few or none will believe this that have had any knowledge of the Parliaments just desires and what the answers have beene to them and desire from them nothing but what they themselves since these unhappy wars have offered to procure Our Personall Treaty with them for a safe and well grounded Peace and having in stead of a dutifull and peaceable returne to Our said Messages received in stead thereof either no answer at all or such as argues nothing will satisfie them but the ruine not only of Vs Our Posterity and Friends but even of Monarchy it selfe and having lately received very good security that We and all that doe or shall adhere to Vs shall be safe in Our Honors Persons and Conferences in the Scottish Army and that they shall really and effectually joyne with Vs and with such as will come in unto Vs and joyne with them for Our preservation and shall imploy their Armes and Forces to assist Vs to the procuring of a happy and well grounded Peace for the good of Vs and our Kingdomes in the recovery of Our just Right We have resolved to put our selves to the hazard of passing into the Scots Armie now lying before Newarke and if it shall please God that We come safe thither We are resolved to use our best endeavors with their assistance and with the conjunction of the Forces under the Marquesse of Montrosse and such of Our well affected Subjects of England as shall rise for Vs to procure if it may be an honorable and speedy Peace and those who hitherto refused to give eare to any means tending therunto of which Our resolution We held it necessary to give you this advertisement as well to satisfie you and all Our Counsell and Loyall Subjects with you to whom We will that you communicate these Our Letters that failling in Our earnest and sincere endeavors by Treaty to put an end to the miseries of these Kingdomes We esteemed Our selfe obliged to leave no probable expedition unattempted to preserve Our Crowne and Friends from the usurpation and tyranny of those whose actions declare so manifestly their Designe to overthrow the Lawes and happy established Government of this Kingdome And now We have made knowne to you Our Resolvtion We recommend to your speciall care the disposing and managing of Our affaires on that side as you shall conceive most for Our Honor and service being confident the course We have taken though with some hazard to Our Person will have a good influence on that Our Kingdom and defer if not altogether prevent the Rebels meaning the Parliament transporting of Forces from them into that Kingdome And We desire you to satisfie all Our well affected Subjects on that side of Our Princely care of them whereof they shall receive the effect as soone as God shall enable Vs We desire you to use some meanes to let Vs and Our Councell at Oxon here frequently from you and of your actions and conditions there and so God prosper your Loyall Endeavors SATURDAY June 6. Thus have you seene the Kings Letter full indeede of much evill and Demonstration of no change of heart from his former bloody cruell and unkingly practises of the ruine of himselfe and his Kingdomes as much in as him lay if indeede it were his owne act as it was too strongly presumed to be upon which many jelousies being raised and founded against our Loyall brethren of Scotland they therefore in vindication of their owne integritie presented a Declaration to the Houses of Parliament in the name of the Commissioners of Scotland which was read accordingly and which I have here thought fit to insert for the Readers better content and satisfaction which was as followeth For the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore Right Honourable THis inclosed paper having very lately come to our hands which although it hath not so much as colour enough to deceive yet neverthelesse as Generall Major Monro in testimony of his integrity did communicate the thing to the Commissioners of Parliament in Vlster so we for preventing mistakes many Copies of the same thing being spred among the people have thought good to communicate the same to the Honourable Houses with our sense upon it that by their wisdome and reciprocall care a right understanding in all things may still be preserved between the Kingdomes Whether any such Letter was signed by the King at Oxford or whether it was invented of purpose to support a declining party we do not know what may concerne the King in it we leave to himself who as he hath since the date of that paper expressed contrary intentions and resolutions in his Messages to both Kingdomes so he can best tell what he wrote at that time we are onely to speake to the matter of the paper which cometh from the hand of Secretary Nicholas unto whose informations what credit ought to be given the Houses very well know It doth consist in our perfect knowledge and we declare it with as much confidence as ever we did or can do any thing that the matter of the paper so farre as concerneth any assurance or